Question Time

Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:18): My question is to the Premier. Has the government been asked to provide state letters patent for the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Industrial Relations) (14:18): I thank the honourable member for his question. Yes, there has been a request, and the nature of the request was such that the exact dates I can't recall, but I believe that an initial piece of correspondence came to the Premier during the caretaker period, if I am not mistaken. As you would appreciate, thereafter we had an election, and a period of time when—

Mr Marshall: Some time ago now.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: A little while, yes, indeed; yes, indeed. Anyway, the request was made; the request has been noted, and the government has decided that, as every other state has done, we will cooperate.

The Hon. J.J. Snelling: I think we did it in Executive Council.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: In fact, the Executive Council meeting this morning put into effect the decision to that effect. That is how contemporary the news is that I bring you, Leader of the Opposition: it is fresh from the Minister for Health, who was there this morning.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Would the leader like to ask that as a supplementary question?